At Home in Bangkok

This is the third edition of an ongoing series of reviews on properties (budget hotels and hostels) we’re staying at during our travels in Asia, as part of our partnership with HostelBookers.com.

As we journey around Southeast Asia, Bangkok has been a frequent stop for us – since it’s a major hub in the region. Our Songkran experience in Bangkok was definitely one to remember; so are the times spent hopping from one temple to the next, cruising on the Chao Phraya River and navigating the chaotic Khao San Road. But I have to admit Bangkok has never quite grown on us – perhaps it’s because of the boulevards lined with mega-malls after mega-malls, or the towering skyscrapers amidst shabby districts, or just the endless chaos and noise. Thankfully, we found a comfortable base from which to slowly adapt to Bangkok’s rowdy ways. Lub d (meaning ‘sleep well’ in Thai), with its welcoming and friendly vibes, made Bangkok feel almost familiar sometimes.

Rated as one of the 17 coolest hangout hostels in the world by UK’s The Observer, Lub d has the social appeal of a youth hostel and the commodities of a budget hotel. There are the cheap dorm beds and private rooms, but at the same time, comfortable communal lounges to socialize. With eclectic designs and fully-fledged hostel facilities, Lub d definitely is the perfect spot for flashpackers like us to hang out and relax. It’s also hard to find such friendly and helpful staff anywhere else; they helped us with directions and recommended local favorite haunts for us to visit. Lub d also organizes and participate in weekly-activities such as club crawls, city strolls or thai boxing.

Best of all, both Lub d hostels (there are two in Bangkok) enjoy excellent location — one right in the heart of the city in Siam Square; and the other in the trendy commercial district, Silom (best place to go for Songkran).

We had the opportunity to stay in both of their branches, the first of which was Lub d Siam Square, situated right in front of the National Stadium BTS station and the famous MBK shopping center. I have to admit it’s our favorite of the two, mainly because of it’s location and the convenience of the BTS station. But Lub d Silom is equally comfortable, well-designed and situated right next to one of the most happening areas in Bangkok.

Our private deluxe room in both hostels are stylish, clean, practical and comfortable – the one in Lub d Siam Square features an all-red decor, with slick lines, simple furnishing and concrete floors. I particularly liked the design of the bed: instead of a bed frame, it’s laid tatami-style on top of a red deck of sorts, with ample storage space smartly built in. Lub d Silom has similar designs in their deluxe room, although it is definitely much more spacious, with ceiling-to-floor windows that looked out to the main road (without any obstructions).

All in all, both hostels made for extremely comfortable stays. We even published the latest issue of our magazine using the high-speed internet at Lub d Siam Square just a few days ago – which shows how ideal it is for travelers like us who work on the go.

As their slogan says, “In Lub d, everyone leaves as a friend,” and we can’t agree more.

Prices for Lub d hostel start from ~$16 a night, with rooms ranging from dormitories to deluxe double rooms.

Disclaimer: Our stay was made possible by hostelbookers and Lub d, but all opinions are our own.

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About Alberto Molero

Alberto Molero is the co-founder, photographer and designer of WildJunket. With an infectious sense of adventure, he’s fed his adrenaline cravings with scuba-diving trips in Borneo, wildlife jaunts on the Galapagos Islands and hiking expeditions to Iceland and Australia. He constantly dreams of living on the beach and going surfing all day.

I have heard of staying hostels but I never imagined that they would be so up to date and modern. I guess things have really changed in the last few years. This hostel at Siam Square is certainly in the prime real estate area of Bangkok and near to the MBK shopping centre, not to mention great night life.

I will have to check them out next time I am in Bangkok, as it seems that the old dormitory style has long gone and the prices seem really reasonable.

That looks like a lovely guest house. Bangkok is one of our favourite cities. I hated it at first but have grown to love it. In particular, once you stay somewhere close to a BTS station (like it sounds like Lub d is) the city really opens up. Being able to go back and forth between sweaty streets and food stall and immaculately clean (and air conditioned) shopping centres is wonderful.

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